Asilia Africa are thrilled to announce that they have been awarded what is arguably the highest accolade in the global Travel and Tourism industry: the Tourism for Tomorrow Business Award 2014, in recognition of Asilia’s position as a leader in pioneering responsible tourism.

Asilia Africa pipped global brands Tui Travel and Cathay Pacific to the prestigious World Travel and Tourism Council’s Tourism for Tomorrow Business Award which recognises tourism businesses which successfully integrate sustainable tourism best practices into their planning and operations.

Bas Hochstenbach, Co-Founder and Commercial Director says, ”as we are approaching our 10th birthday as a company this is the best birthday present imaginable. It’s a great honour to our entire team, and a strong motivator to work harder at our goal of turning the fragile areas we operate in into lasting conservation economies”.

Costas Christ, Chairman of the Judges of the Awards, for the final time after 10 successful years, says: “Hundreds of unique applicants applied for the Awards this year. This year’s winners show that embracing sustainable tourism principles and practices is a full time responsibility to both current and future generations of this finite and fragile planet that we all share.”

Asilia Africa prides itself in taking a pioneering approach: setting up camps and lodges in areas where tourism has little foothold and making long-term commitments to allow these places to thrive. Ultimately, bringing sustainable tourism to new areas can transform them into viable and lasting conservation-based economies, with perpetual revenue for both its people and the protection of wildlife.

2014 sees Asilia Africa pioneering tourism to a remote corner of the Eastern Serengeti which has been closed to outsiders for over 20 years with the opening of the new Namiri Plains Camp on the 1st July. Asilia Africa will also open their first camp in Ruaha National Park this year, Kwihala Camp, which commits Asilia to protecting Tanzania’s largest national park for future generations.